Animal Bioscience

Jiyuan Zhang et al., Protein levels alter yak rumen microbiota profiles, meat properties, and longissimus dorsi metabolites. Animal Bioscience 2026; 39(5): 250027. Published online: July 11, 2025 [the study led by Prof. Shuxiang Wang at Key Laboratory of Plateau Grazing Animal Nutrition and Feed Science of Qinghai Province, Xining, China]

This research explored how different dietary protein levels affect the rumen microbiota, meat quality, and metabolism of yaks under low-energy conditions. While a 16% protein diet slightly improved meat tenderness and color, no significant differences were observed in average daily weight gain between the groups. Metabolomic analysis indicated that yaks on a 14% protein diet had a better capacity for fatty acid and antioxidant metabolism, implying more efficient energy use. The authors recommend a 14% protein diet as the optimal choice for yak fattening under low-energy conditions to ensure both health and productivity.

Protein levels alter yak rumen microbiota profiles, meat properties, and longissimus dorsi metabolites This research was supported by the following funds: Qinghai Province Science and Technology Special Project “Application and Demonstration of Efficient Yak Breeding Technology in Xinghai County and Tongren City” (Project No.: 2024-NK-P19) and Qinghai Province “Kunlun Talents · High-end Innova...

Deok Yun Kim et al., Effect of dietary glycine and betaine on productive performance, liver health, intestinal characteristics, and stress response in aged laying hens under heat stress conditions. Animal Bioscience 2026; 39(5): 250618. Published online: November 10, 2025. [the study led by Prof. D**g Yong Kil at Chung-Ang University, Anseong, Korea]

This study investigated the effects of dietary glycine and betaine on the performance, liver health, and stress response of aged laying hens under heat stress conditions. The authors observed no significant enhancements in productive performance or egg quality; however, the supplements successfully lowered malondialdehyde levels in the liver. The results indicated that both individual and combined supplementation enhanced intestinal barrier function and reduced feather corticosterone levels. The study concludes that 0.65% glycine and 0.20% betaine can mitigate physiological strain due to heat stress in older poultry.

Effect of dietary glycine and betaine on productive performance, liver health, intestinal characteristics, and stress response in aged laying hens under heat stress conditions This research was carried out with the support of the Cooperative Research Program for Agriculture Science and Technology Development (Project No. RS-2020-RD009204), Rural Development Administration, Republic of Korea. This research was also supported by the Chung-Ang University Graduate Research Sc...

Yanan Peng et al., Time-resolved transcriptomic profiling of mammary gland tissue during ductal morphogenesis, lactation activation, and involution in sows [led by Prof. Rong Xuan].

Anim Biosci. 2026; 39: 250560.
Published online November 14, 2025.

This study generated a high-resolution transcriptomic atlas of the porcine mammary gland across five stages from gestation to involution. It identified stage-specific gene expression patterns and key regulatory networks (e.g., EGF, AKT1, and STAT pathways) that control mammary development, lactation, and remodeling.

DOI:

Time-resolved transcriptomic profiling of mammary gland tissue during ductal morphogenesis, lactation activation, and involution in sows

Yi-Ou Xu et al., The additive from co-fermented edible plants and probiotics improved calves’ growth performance and health by regulating antioxidant and gastrointestinal-microbiota [led by Prof. Xiu-Jing Dou].

Anim Biosci. 2026; 39: 250112.
Published online November 14, 2025.

Co‑fermented edible plants and probiotics supplementation improved growth, immunity, and antioxidant capacity in calves. These effects were linked to beneficial changes in gut microbiota and metabolic pathways, enhancing overall health and disease resistance of calves.

DOI:

The additive from co-fermented edible plants and probiotics improved calves’ growth performance and health by regulating antioxidant and gastrointestinal-microbiota Cecropin supplementation improves growth performance by regulating immune function, rumen fermentation and microbiota in goats2025 December;38(12)

Enhancement of growth performance and health status in heat-stressed growing rabbits using alpha-lipoic acid-loaded chitosan nanoparticles. Ali Ali El-Raghi et al. Animal Bioscience 2026; 39(2): 250456.

This study evaluated the effects of alpha-lipoic acid delivered via chitosan nanoparticles on growth and health in heat-stressed growing rabbits. The treatment improved antioxidant capacity and physiological stability, leading to better performance under stress conditions.

Enhancement of growth performance and health status in heat-stressed growing rabbits using alpha-lipoic acid-loaded chitosan nanoparticles 5Department of Poultry and Rabbit Diseases, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt

NGSMHC: a simple bioinformatics tool for comprehensively typing major histocompatibility complex genes in non-human species using next-generation sequencing data. Mingue Kang et al.

Animal Bioscience 2026; 39(2): 250468. Published online: September 30, 2025.

This study developed NGSMHC, a bioinformatics tool designed to comprehensively type MHC genes in non-human species using next-generation sequencing data. The tool enables accurate and efficient characterization of complex MHC genotypes, supporting immunogenetics research and breeding applications.

NGSMHC: a simple bioinformatics tool for comprehensively typing major histocompatibility complex genes in non-human species using next-generation sequencing data This study was supported by the Cooperative Research Program for Agriculture, Science and Technology Development (Project No. PJ016221) of the Rural Development Administration, Republic of Korea and Konkuk University’s research support program for its faculty on sabbatical leave in 2024.

Yashini Subramaniam et al. Effects of prenatal auditory stimulation on physiological stress and neurotransmitter levels in developing embryos and day-old ducklings. Animal Bioscience 2026; 39(4): 250243. Published online: September 30, 2025. [The study led by Prof. Zulkifli Idrus at Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Malaysia]

Prenatal auditory stimulation (music or noise) induced a physiological stress response in duck embryos, as shown by increased HSP70 levels. However, it did not affect hatchability or body weight and instead reduced stress markers after hatching. These results suggest that early auditory exposure may enhance stress resilience in ducklings despite mild developmental stress.

Effects of prenatal auditory stimulation on physiological stress and neurotransmitter levels in developing embryos and day-old ducklings 3Department of Veterinary Pre-Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Malaysia

D**ghyeon Lee et al. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change overestimates annual nitrogen excretion from pigs in Korea. Animal Bioscience 2026; 39(4): 250586. Published online: October 22, 2025. [The study led by Prof. Beob Gyun Kim at Konkuk University, Seoul, Korea]

This study re-evaluated nitrogen excretion (Nex) from pigs in Korea and compared it with IPCC estimates. The calculated annual Nex (~8.23 kg/year) was significantly lower than the IPCC value (~18 kg/year). The findings highlight the importance of using country-specific data for accurate environmental impact assessments.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change overestimates annual nitrogen excretion from pigs in Korea The present study was supported by Rural Development Administration (Korea, Project No. PJ017087). This work was partially funded by Smart Livestock Environment Division, National Institute of Animal Science (Korea) in 2021 and Korean Pork Self-Help Fund Management Committee (Project No. 313-7) in 2...

Muhammad Ikhsan Sani et al., Application of precision livestock farming: challenges and opportunities. Animal Bioscience 2026; 39(4): 250895. Published online: March 11, 2026. [led by Prof. Henk Hogeveen]

Sensor systems have increasingly been explored as tools to support precision livestock farming, particularly in monitoring cow health and improving decision-making. This systematic literature review aims to evaluate advancements in sensor systems for detecting health conditions in dairy cows especially on mastitis, fertility, locomotion, and metabolic disorders. Relevant articles published between 2014 and 2024 were identified from Scopus. Each article was categorized by health condition and assigned to one of four development levels: sensor technique (Level I), data interpretation (Level II), integration of information (Level III), and decision making (Level IV).

— Invited Review — Application of precision livestock farming: challenges and opportunities Parts of this review were presented at Animal Bioscience Forum 2025 on Animal Biosciences to Improve Animal Health and Production- Precision Livestock Farming (PLF): Transforming the Landscape of Animal Science and Industry (August 26, 2025), which was supported by Pathway Intermediates (http://www....

Thi Thi Zin and Pyke Tin. Computer vision in precision livestock farming: artificial intelligence-driven technologies and applications for sustainable animal production. Animal Bioscience 2026; 39(4): 260165. Published online: March 24, 2026.

The growing global demand for animal-derived food products is placing unprecedented pressure on livestock production systems to improve efficiency while also assuring animal welfare, environmental sustainability and economic viability. Precision livestock farming (PLF) has emerged as a transformative paradigm that integrates advanced sensing technologies, computer vision, internet of things infrastructures and artificial intelligence (AI) to enable continuous, automated and individualized animal monitoring. This paper explores the evolution of livestock management from conventional observation-based practices to sophisticated, data-driven architecture. It also synthesizes recent advancements in PLF emphasizing its system architecture, key applications in cattle production, cross-sector expansion and emerging challenges.

— Invited Review — Computer vision in precision livestock farming: artificial intelligence-driven technologies and applications for sustainable animal production Parts of this review were presented at Animal Bioscience Forum 2025 on Animal Biosciences to Improve Animal Health and Production-Precision Livestock Farming (PLF): Transforming the Landscape of Animal Science and Industry (August 26, 2025), which was supported by Pathway Intermediates (http://www.p...

Mingyung Lee et al., Biosensors in precision livestock farming in dairy production: decoding animals’ needs. Animal Bioscience 2026; 39(4): 260154. Published online: March 31, 2026. [led by Prof. Seongwon Seo]

Precision livestock farming in dairy production is advancing through biosensor-based monitoring that converts frequent, longitudinal measurements into actionable information to support animal-level decision-making under commercial conditions. This review summarizes biosensors for precision dairy farming with a systems perspective that connects sensing, data transfer, analytics, and visualization. Biosensors can be categorized by sensing locus as at-animal, near-animal, and from-animal to clarify practical tradeoffs among invasiveness, scalability, maintenance burden, and diagnostic specificity. The review also describes how information should progress from raw signals to interpretable indicators and decision-support outputs, emphasizing that farm value depends on reliable interpretation and timely intervention rather than on measurement alone.

— Invited Review — Biosensors in precision livestock farming in dairy production: decoding animals’ needs Parts of this review were presented at Animal Bioscience Forum 2025 on Animal Biosciences to Improve Animal Health and Production-Precision Livestock Farming (PLF): Transforming the Landscape of Animal Science and Industry (August 26, 2025), which was supported by Pathway Intermediates (http://www.p...